Guidance

Ex parte hearing procedures

If you are unable to reach agreement with a patent examiner over your patent application you can request an ex parte hearing.

Documents

Ex parte hearings at the intellectual property office

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Details

At the hearing, you will be given the opportunity to explain your case in person to a senior official known as a Hearing Officer.

The Hearing Officer is trained to be impartial and to look at all sides of the argument before coming to a decision on your case.

The guide covers the procedures to follow for ex parte hearings.

Updates to this page

Published 22 May 2014

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